18 September 2012 05:00

Bale is convinced that Tottenham Hotspur can secure a place in the top four this season and achieve his ambition of regularly playing in world football’s premier competition.

The Wales international signed a lucrative contract extension in the summer but has made no secret of his intention to play in the Champions League, with Harry Redknapp paying the price at the end of last season with the sack after missing out on a qualifying place.

Spurs have had to contend with a place in the Europa League, with their opening group game against Lazio on Thursday night, but Bale reckons Villas-Boas can guide the club towards a place in the elite competition next season and prove his decision to stay at White Hart Lane was the right one.

He said: “Did I ever consider leaving? No. I’ve always been focused on my game, playing football, and I’m enjoying myself here at the moment, so there’s no reason to go anywhere. “We’ve got a great squad now and, hopefully, next season we can get Champions League football, where we should be. We’ve got a stronger squad than we did at the start of the season. Our plan is to win every game and we’ll be trying to do that